Rotary engine



Jan 7, 1947. v SPROUSE 2,413,796

I ROTARY ENGINE Filed April 2'7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l [VI/EN 7-0/3 l m/vna E JP/POMSEJ' .5 r d m 'flrro/e/wsx Jan.7,1947. 'PR SE 7 2,413,796 ROTARYENGINE Filed April 27, 1945 4 Sheet-Sheet 2 Jan. 7, 1947. v SPRQUSE 2,413,796

ROTARY ENGINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 27, 1945 Jan. 7, 1947., v. E. SPROUSE ROTARY ENGINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 27, 1945 Patented Jan. 7, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE ROTARY ENGINE Verner E. Sprouse, Columbus, Ind.

Application April 27, 1945, Serial No. 590,585

Claims.

This invention relates to a rotary type engine wherein a gaseous fiuid is applied from a common flow point intermittently around the periphery of a rotor for a limited circumferential distance, then collected and again applied around an additional circumferential length of the periphery of the rotor in a difierent phase relation than in the first application. The engine might be termed a multiple expansion rotary engine operating in a more or lesspositive manner as opposed to a simple impingement of fluids against members on the rotor.

A primary object of the invention is to obtain the maximum possible power from a minimum size unit with a relatively high efiicient use of the operating fluid. A still further important object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple structure with but one moving part. the rotor.

An advantage arising from the invention is that the rotor may be built in a cast .form rather than having to employ inserted buckets or the like, all to the end that the rotor construction be exceedingly durable over long periods of usage and under high temperatures.

These and many other objects and advantages will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of one side of the engine;

Fig. 2. a view in front elevation with a power drive pulleyapplied;

Fig. 3, a view in side elevation of the engine and rotor with the power drive face plate removed;

Fig. 4, a view in perspective of the engine with th power drive side plate removed and alsov the rotor removed;

Fig. 5, a 'view .in corresponding perspective of the rotor;

Fig. 6, a view in perspective looking -from front to rear of the engine body from the power drive side thereof and Fig. '7, a' view inperspective of 'therotor viewed in the same relation as that view of Fig. 6.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

I form a body Ill which is essentiallyanannulus with-a'supporting'base 'll'on its-under side are disposed a plurality of what may be termed expansion cells I5. The diameter of the rib I4 s the diameter of the internal opening through the body Ill. This rib I 4 extends around from the leading edge it of the cell [3 which opens into the annulus, then is carried circumferentially around to the exhaust port I I. On the other side of the exhaust port ll, continuing circumferentially around the body, is a full width curved area 18 which continues on around to the trailing edge ill of the cell l3, the radius of curvature of this area I B being the same as the radius of curvature of the rib I4. The cells l5 are provided in regular manner in the body Ii) on each side of the rib M and are aligned one with the other transversely of the rib I4 to have the transverse edge portions 20 terminating in the inner :face of the rib Hi. It is to be noted that, going in a clockwise direction, Figs. 3, 4, and 6. the cells 15 have first an arcuate portion entering back into the body I!) and from which portion .the cellis bounded by a substantially fiat area sloping back to the transverse margins 20 the distances between which are equal for all cells i5. The rib l4 forms a boundary wall between :the cells I5 positioned on each side thereof. ESpaced circurnierentially around the body Ill on the inner sidethereof, substantially half Way between the opening from the cell l3 and the exhaust port I! are a pair of what I term booster cells 2!, being symmetrically positioned one on each side of the rib l4. Each cell 2! is approximately symmetrical withthe cell [5. but ismuch larger inpsize beingnot only radially deeper, but also having alonger circumferential length. The distance between the terminal edge portions 20 at eachend of the booster cell 2! is greater than thedistance between those edge portions ofthe cell l5. but less than twice that distance.

"Continuing in a clockwise direction from the transverse edge portions 20 of the booster cells 2|. the body H] is further provided with a pluv rality of expansion cells 22 regularly spaced on around to the exhaust port I7, and laterally alignedlone with another oneach side of the intervening rib l4. These cells 22 are of the same length and of the same configuration and depthias the cells 5-5. It is to be noted however, that'by reason of the spacing of the transverse edges of the booster cells'Zl, the transverse edges definingthe endsof the cells 22 are out of phase inefiect with thespacing of the transverse edges 28 of the cells l5. This willbeiurther explained hereinafter.

Within the body Ill is mountedarotorgenerally designated by the numeral 23. A shaft 24 is fixed to the rotor to extend from each side thereof and be carried in suitable bearings mounted in the cover plates 25 and 26, the shaft having a length to extend through one of the plates at least to have some driving means mounted thereon, herein shown as the pulley 21, Fig. 2.

The rotor 23 is provided with a central rib 28 to have a diameter which will run in very close proximity with the face of the rib M of the body i9, and this rib 28 has a width substantially matching that of the rib I4 sufiicient to retard to some degree lateral flow of fluids between those two ribs. On each side of the rib 28, the rotor is provided with a plurality of what I term power cells 29. These power cells 29 preferably have substantially the same configuration and are of the same sizes of the expansion cells I5 and 22 in thebody l3. These power cells 29 terminate with laterally disposed edges 33 on a circumference which will carry them across in close proximity with the corresponding edges 29 of the body cells l5 and 22. In the rotor 23 the power cells 29 on one side of the rib 28 are staggered circumferentially in respect to the cells 29 on the other side so that the terminal ends 39 of the cells 29 on the one side will be substantially midway between the ends 39 on the other side.

The two side plates 25 and 26 sealably enclose the rotor 23 therebetween and within the body 19, some sealing means being provided against radial flow of the operating fluid along the side faces of the rotor 23 to the shaft 24 so as to withhold the operating fluid from entrance into the bearings carrying the shaft 24. One such sealing means may comprise a circular rib 3! carried by the cover plate to enter with a running fit into a circular groove 32 provided around the rotor 23.

Also, these two side plates 25 and 26 enclose the admittance cell l3 from each side so that flow therefrom is confined to flow toward the periphery of the rotor 23. A fluid admittance port is had through either the body ID or one of the side plates 25 and 26 to carry fluid into the cell I3,

such a port 33 being herein provided, for example, in the plate 25. A suitable exhaust pipe 34 may be attached to the engine to conduct exhaust externally from the port I! in any direction as may be desired. 7

In operation the operating fluid, be it steam, air or gases of combustion, is admitted into the cell I3 under pressure. The only escape from that cell l3 is'toward and against the periphery of the rotor 23. Due to the configuration and arrangement of the expansion cells l5 and the power cells 29, the rotor 23 will revolve in a clockwise direction in reference to Figs. 3-7. As is indicated in Fig. 3, one of the power cells 29 has its trailing portion open to the cell l3.

Therefore, the compressible fluid then in the cell l3 may flow into that cell 29 which is open under the transverse leading edge [6. In the position of the rotor 23 as shown in Fig. 3, the fluid may flow into that first cell 29 under the edge i6, and thence be directed by reason of the curved end wall of the cell 29 outwardly and into the first expansion cell l5 immediately adjacent the edge It, following which the flow may continue from that cell I5 ahead into the next adjacent power cell 23 on the rotor 23, thence outwardly into the succeeding expansion cell 5 and so on around the rotor 23 until the fluid escapes into the booster cell 2|.

With the rotor still in the same. relative position as shown in Fig. 3, the transverse edge 29 across the leading end of the cell 2| is then in registry with the transverse edge 39 of a rotor power cell, thereby substantially sealing off fur- 5 ther flow of the fluid circumferentially around the rotor 23, and this flow is so stopped by reason of the fact that in that instantaneous position of the rotor 23, the following transverse edges 39 are in substantial registry with the housing edges 29. However, since a compressible and: expansible fluid is employed, the outflowing fluid in the cell 2| will exert a thrust to continue the clockwise 1 travel of the rotor 23 by pressure against the end walls of the rotor cells 29, particularly in respect to the cell l5 adjacent the leading edge of the booster cell 2|.

Then following sufiicient travel of the rotor 23 to bring a transverse edge 39 into registry with the trailing edge 29 of the booster cell 2|, a transverse edge 39 will have travelled on beyond and out of registry with theleading edge 29 of the cell 2|, and in like manner all of the subsequent cell edges 39 will be out of registry with the subsequent cell edges 29 around to the exhaust port I! so that the fluid shall be free to travel through its tortuous passageway around the periphery of the rotor and in and out of the cells of the body Hi until the fluid may finally escape at a very V muchly reduced pressure through the exhaust 30 port II. It is to be noted when the escape through the exhaust port I! is permissible, flow from the cell I3 is arrested by reason of the trailing edges 39 of the respective cells 29 being in registry with the leading edges 29 of ,the cells l5 between the cell edge. It andthe trailing edge 29 of the booster cell 2 l.

While this action is going on on the one side of the transverse ribs 28 and I4, the same action is going on on the opposite side or those ribs, but only in a delayed sequence by reason of the staggered arrangement of the cells 29 on the rotor 23. In [other words, when the cell 29, as shown in Fig. 3, is open to the cell I3 under the edge It, the corresponding cell on the other side of the rib 28 is substantially sealed off from the cell i3 by having its trailing edge under and possibly slightly toward the leading side of the cell edgev 6.

Thus it is to be seen that by the unique positioning of one set of expansion cells l5 out of phase in relation to another subsequent set of cells IS in relation to the regular spacing of the cells 23 around the rotor 23 permissible by the intervening booster cells 2|, an advantage is gained by preventing a free flowof the fluid in its zigzag passage around the rotor and body to the exhaust port, and instead of that free flow, the flow is interrupted momentarily to permit the utilization of the expansion of the fluid in two stages.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in theme particular form, it is obvious that structural changes may be employed, particularly in the formation, of the rotor and housing elements, all without departing from the spirit 65 of the invention, andI therefore do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond the limitations as may be imposed by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A rotary engine comprising a body having a circular chamber therein with an initial set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound and radially opening into the chamber, a second set of expansion cells in regu- 75 lar sequence circumferentially therearound following the said initial set; a rotor mounted in said chamber and having a plurality of power cells around and opening radially outwardly from the rotor periphery; all of said chamber and rotor cells having equal circumferential lengths between trailing and leading ends thereof; said body having a booster cell opening radially into said chamber between said two sets of expansion cells; and said two sets of cells having an intervening circumferential space across said booster cell differing by approximately a half circumferential length of one of said expansion cells; said intervening space being equal to at least one and one half times said expansion cell length.

2. A rotary engine comprising a body having a circular chamber therein with an initial set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound and radially opening into the chamber, a second set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound following the said initial set; a rotor mounted in said chamber and having a plurality of power cells around and openin radially outwardly from the rotor periphery; all of said chamber and rotor cells having equal circumferential lengths between trailing and leading ends thereof; said body having a booster cell openin radially into said chamber between said two sets of expansion cells; and said two sets of cells having an inter vening circumferential space across said booster cell differing by approximately a half circumferential length of one of said expansion cells; said intervening space being equal to at least one and one half times said expansion celllength; said booster cell having a Volume equal at least that of two of said expansion cells and a circumferential length equal to said intervening space.

3. A rotary engine comprising a body having a circular chamber therein with an initial set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound and radially opening into the chamber, a second set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound following the said initial set; a rotor mounted in said chamber and having a plurality of power cells around and opening radially outwardly from the rotor periphery; all of said chamber and rotor cells having equal circumferential lengths between trailing and leading ends thereof; said body having a booster cell opening radially into said chamber between said two sets of expansion cells; and said two sets of cells having an intervening circumferential space across said booster cell differing by approximately a half circumferential length of one of said expansion cells; an annular rib around said chamber dividing all of said expansion cells into two separate groups, one group on each side of the rib, the cells in both groups being transversely aligned; and an annular rib around said rotor in alignment with said chamber rib to have running clearance therebetween, dividing the said rotor power cells into two groups, one of the rotor groups having its cells staggered circumferentially in respect to those of the other group.

4. A rotary engine comprising a body having a circular chamber therein with an initial set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound and radially opening into the chamber, a second set of expansion cells in regular sequence circumferentially therearound following the said initial set; a rotor mounted in ,said chamber and having a plurality of power cells around and opening radially outwardly from the rotor periphery; all of said chamber and rotor cells having equal circumferential lengths between trailing and leading ends thereof; said body having a booster cell opening radially into said chamber between said two sets of expansion cells; and said two sets of cells having an intervening circumferential space across said booster cell differing by approximately a half circumferential length of one of said expansion cells; an annular rib around said chamber dividing all of said ex-' pansion cells into two separate groups, one group on each side of the rib, the cells in both groups being transversely aligned; and an annular rib around said rotor in alignment with said chamber rib to have running clearance therebetween dividing the said rotor power cells into two groups, one of the rotor groups having its cells staggered circumferentially in respect to those of the other group; said chamber rib also dividing said booster cell into two parts.

5. A rotary engine comprising a body having a cylindrical chamber therein with an initial set of expansion cells arranged in regular sequence for a distance therearound, each of said cells opening through the circumferential wall of said chamber, each opening being equally spaced one from the other and of equal circumferential length;- a booster cell in said body at the end of said initial set of expansion cells having an opening through said wall, the length of which opening is greater than that of one of said expansion cells but less than two lengths thereof; a second set of expansion cells continuing around said body from said booster cell to have openings through said wall of the same length and same spacing apart as that of the cells in said first set; and a, rotor mounted in said chamber to have a periphery in close running fit with said chamber wall, said rotor having a plurality of power cells therearound each opening outwardly through said periphery by equal opening circumferential lengths.

VERNER E. SPROUSE. 

